Month: November 2017

They think, talk, and work differently than the rest of us. Most of them even dress differently.

It should come as no surprise then that the most recent scientific studies show that artists’ brains are distinctively different than the rest of the population.

Dr. Rebecca Chamberlain of KU Leuven University in Belgium have noticed that most visual artists described “seeing” their work in their heads before they ever put pen to paper or brush to canvas.

She suspected that there are fundamental differences in artists’ brains. So she did what any self-respecting scientist would do: she led an experiment to find out.

In the study, researchers have 21 art students and 23 non-artists complete a number of tasks. During each task, they scanned their brains through a process called voxel-based morphometry.

Voxel-based morphometry is a neuroimaging technique that lets the scientists identify differences in the brain structure between individuals.

And through these experiments, Dr. Chamberlain made a few important discoveries.

Changes in structure
The brain scans show that artists’ brains had some distinctive differences.

Most notably, they have more gray matter in the parietal lobe. Specifically in a structure called the precuneus.

The parietal lobe processes information from the senses. This region is responsible for our visual and spatial reasoning.

According to the study, individuals with more developed visual reasoning are better at creating pictures in their head.

This suggests that before a painter even dips their black velvet brushes into the paint, their painting already exists in the parietal lobe. This inner picture guides the artist in a way that nonartists can not emulate.

Nature or nurture?
These findings raise an important question. Are artists better at drawing because they have an enlarged precuneus? Or has their precuneus increased in size after years of training?

Certainly, our habits can change our brain structure over time. Just like with our muscles, we brain changes with exercise.

Dr. Chamberlain states, “It falls into line with the evidence that the focus of expertise really does change the brain. The brain is incredibly flexible in response to training and there are huge individual differences that take into account tap into. ”

But could it be possible that artists have an enlarged parietal lobe before they even start honing their craft? Are certain people innately predisposed to be artists?

Determining this would require a much longer study with a larger sample size.

Scientists would need to study subjects before they even begin practicing their artistic skills. The study would then follow them through all of their training, comparing changes in their brain structure to non-artists.

Such a study would take decades and is unlikely to attract much interest in the way of funding.

The myth of the Right side
For a long time, the common understanding of brain structure is that the left hemisphere is more analytical and the right side is more creative. Therefore, more creative people have a more dominant right hemisphere.

However, according to this study, artists have increased gray matter on both sides of their brain. This is a significant blow to the myth of right-brain dominance.

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Renewable sources of energy are essential for ensuring a sustainable future. But that’s just one of many upsides to installing solar thermal panels.

The savings to be with switching to solar are immense and large institutions stand to save the most. Here are a few solar thermal panels can help schools and colleges save money.

School Layouts Mean a More Cost-Effective Installation
Unsuitable roofs are one of the biggest arguments against solar panels. Angled installations do not get consistent sun and residential areas are more shaded. This means a solar system installation is less cost-effective than it could be.

Schools do not have this problem. The typical layout of a school is perfect for solar installation. School buildings often have roof roofs and plenty of unshaded space. This means greater solar panel output and greater savings for the school.

Reduced Operating Costs
The cost of energy consumption is calculated by determining the cost per unit of energy. These units are called megawatt-hours or kilowatt-hours. For context, the rate of energy consumption is measured in kilowatts or megawatts.

As of 2016, solar is the cheapest energy resource in the world. In other words, it’s the energy resource with the lowest cost per kilowatt-hour.

What’s more, large-scale installations save the most money. In 2016 Dubai sets the world record for the lowest-cost solar energy. Their massive solar array bid at under 3 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Schools and colleges often have sprawling campuses. This means they stand to benefit more than most from going solar.

Solar Energy Is Consistent
Energy costs are notoriously inconsistent.

Grid energy prices are trending upwards at a gradual but steady rate. And with natural gas prices only likely to increase, this trend is here to stay.

Electricity prices also fluctuate depending on the time of the month, season, or year.

Solar energy is consistent – the only cost being the installation and upkeep of the system. Installing solar thermal panels helps insulate the school against energy rate fluctuations and increases. The more consistent the school’s energy costs, the easier it is for the school to plan and budget for the future.

Going Solar Will Improve the School’s Brand and Drive Enrollment
Young people are the most environmentally conscious in the world. Studies have found that youth are not shy about demanding a sustainable futures and believe that investment in renewable energy is critical to achieving it.

Committing your school to sustainable practices improves its image. This, in turn, makes it more attractive to socially-conscious students.

Additionally, people associate schools and colleges with innovation and forward-thinking. Using the newest and most efficient form of energy will flag your school as a progressive establishment.

Solar Thermal Panels Are a No-Brainer
Switching to solar is not just great for the environment. Installing solar thermal panels will save your school money and upgrade your brand. And with schools like Yale and Princeton running solar on-site, you’d be in good company.

You may not think too much about what you wear to the gym. This may be one of those old college shirts or bands that fill your drawer, and a pair of sweaty pants or waist shorts.

Even if you carefully choose the clothes you will wear for work or dating, this is the gym we are talking about. Who cares what you wear?

It turns out you have to care. Here’s why – and how to choose clothes that will benefit you as you exercise.

5 Ways To Work in Style
1. Get a Good Fit When Getting Fit

Do not choose loose clothing to work on. They will not make your body look bigger. Sloppy box shirts and slacks will just keep you in the gym.

In addition to possibly getting stuck or caught on the machine, too-large clothing will not let you see how your body is moving. This means it will be more difficult to monitor your form.

The shirt for exercise should be no more than two to three inches of excess fabric at the waist; select shorts that are hit about two inches above the knee. Check out some great options from Generation Iron.

2. Choose the Right Fabric

Many men release their old shirts, which have holes under the sleeves or are too worn out for everyday wear, to the training drawer. Experts say it’s a mistake. Cotton t-shirts will absorb your sweat, making it feel heavy and uncomfortable to wear.

Special performance performance is a better choice. Woven fabrics will not make you feel wet, sweaty, and sweaty. You also will not let puddles fall on the bench after you’ve finished pressing – your colleagues will love.

We understand; You have worked hard for those pecs and lats, and you certainly want to show it to them. Any kind of fishnet jacket or tank top that barely exist, however, will mark you as “the guy.” Which man? One of the women rolled their eyes.

These days, the gym is more social than ever. You can meet your boss, potential client, or the woman you watch at Tinder. So choose a low-key clothing, not flashy ,.

4. Right Footwear

It should go without saying that you have to wear the right athletic shoes, but next time you enter the gym, look down. You may be surprised by the number of people you see in Vibram, sandals, even boots and flip-flops!

If you are not primarily running or cycling, choose a pair of comfortable and supportive cross-trainers.